How often do you find yourself staying up late at night? Whether it's binge-watching your favorite show, endlessly scrolling through your phone, or struggling to find comfort in your bed, you’ve probably been there. However, there's a crucial reality you mustn’t ignore: a lack of sleep can wreak havoc on your overall health. What's even more alarming is when this sleep deprivation is compounded by another critical concern: substance use.
Individuals with substance addiction, be it alcohol or illicit drugs, frequently wrestle with sleep disturbances. Unfortunately, the effects of this disorder on sleep often go unnoticed. This blog discusses substance abuse, its impact on sleep, and practical ways to get good sleep during recovery.
In the US, 50 to 70 million people have ongoing sleep disorders. However, having a good kind of sleep goes beyond just quantity — quality matters, too.
Each sleep cycle has four stages: N1, N2, N3 (deep sleep), and REM. You’ll typically go through four to six cycles a night, which last around 90 minutes each. These stages and cycles are vital as they allow your brain and body to recuperate and develop. When you sleep, these particular biological processes happen:
Alcohol and illicit drug consumption can affect the ideal sleep architecture, disrupting the different biological processes mentioned above. Ultimately, it can negatively impact your thinking, emotions, and overall health.
Using substances affects how you sleep in diverse ways. For example, alcohol, a depressant, can induce drowsiness. This effect is dependent on how much you’ve consumed. In the long run, excessive alcohol drinking can degrade overall sleep quality. Additionally, it can cause chronic sleep issues.
Addiction to illicit drugs can also take a toll on your sleep quality. Cocaine, for example, alters how the body produces and releases melatonin, a hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycles. As a result, you might find it hard to fall asleep (or stay asleep).
Methamphetamine, another type of drug, stimulates the release of dopamine, a happiness-boosting hormone, causing wakefulness. This can disrupt your sleep pattern in the long run.
Meanwhile, heroin causes both alertness and drowsiness. And as you experience such extremely alternating experiences, it can ultimately lead to restfulness. When you’re deprived of quality sleep, it can further cause behavioral changes like mood swings.
Note that not only illicit drugs can impact how you sleep. Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause sleep disturbances and insomnia. These include heart medications, antidepressants, corticosteroids, cholesterol medicine, and Alzheimer's drugs.
Sleep issues like this can be harmful both in the short and long term.
You must pay attention to the importance of proper sleep hygiene because a complex, delicate connection exists between sleep and your overall health. If you’re battling with SUD, addressing sleep disruption can help you regain control of your physical and mental health.
Here are three common sleep-related disorders linked with SUD — and how addictive substances can exacerbate them.
In one study, 6 in 10 substance use disorder (SUD) patients undergoing detoxification reported having insomnia. When you use substances, your sleep cycles will be affected, causing you to struggle to fall or stay asleep. The anxiety you may feel can also intensify this condition.
There are illicit substances that help relax the muscles, including the throat muscles. Especially for those with narrow throats, muscle relaxation during sleep can lead to airway blockage, causing breathing pauses known as apnea. Sleep apnea can disrupt your rest and cause daytime fatigue.
RLS is more of a neurological disorder marked by an intense compulsion to move one's legs while at rest, typically occurring at nighttime when you’re lying (or sitting) down. Many SUD patients experience this while in their withdrawal phase.
A successful addiction recovery entails a multi-faceted substance use treatment approach — and part of your treatment plan is ensuring that you get good sleep. This is to help you restore your health, both in terms of your body and mind.
Here are practical tips to follow:
Apart from doing all this, you must also enlist help from a professional to get proper guidance. The key is pinpointing the underlying cause of your addiction — and sleep problems.
Sleep is an essential pillar of good health. When you’re struggling with addiction, you may experience sleep disturbances, which, in turn, can worsen your physical and mental well-being. Neglecting both forms a harmful cycle, decreasing overall life quality.
The delicate link between sleep and substance use highlights the need for a holistic approach to addiction treatment. At Pacific Crest Trail Detox, you can seek professional help, better understand the need for prioritizing sleep, and ultimately achieve lasting sobriety. Get in touch with Oregon’s premier drug detox center today.